Flexible bathtub waste pipe assembly for bathtubs and the like

ABSTRACT

A bathtub waste pipe assembly for draining fluid from a bathtub where the bathtub has an upper overflow drain and a lower drain. The bathtub waste pipe assembly includes a flexible hollow tube extending from the upper overflow drain to the lower drain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In plumbing of bathtubs, existing rigid waste pipe assemblies are used to receive the effluent fluid from the bathtub. These rigid pipes are often difficult to install in the tight spaces about a bathtub. Further, these rigid pipes need to either be properly sized in length, or cut down to a proper length to be installed with the bathtub. Additionally, these rigid assemblies include a multiplicity of pieces, adding to the cost of the assembly, as well as the complexity of installation.

[0002] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a bathtub waste pipe assembly including a flexible hollow tube, wherein the installation of the bathtub waste pipe assembly is simplified.

[0003] A further object of the invention is to provide a bathtub waste pipe assembly wherein the length of assembly need not be specifically sized prior to installation.

[0004] A still further object of the invention is to provide a bathtub waste pipe assembly wherein the assembly is easily installed in confined spaces.

[0005] These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A bathtub waste pipe assembly for draining fluid from a bathtub where the bathtub has an upper overflow drain and a lower drain. The bathtub waste pipe assembly includes a flexible hollow tube extending from the upper overflow drain to the lower drain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional prior bathtub environment with a rigid waste pipe assembly; and

[0008]FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of this invention associated with a bathtub.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0009] With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional bathtub 10 has an upper overflow drain 12 and a lower drain 14. The upper overflow drain 12 is located at one end 16 of the bathtub 10 for draining overflow fluids from the bathtub 10. The lower drain 14 is located in the bottom of the bathtub 10 for draining fluids from the bottom of the bathtub 10.

[0010] A conventional prior art rigid waste pipe assembly 20 has an upper rigid pipe 22 oriented in a vertical direction. The pipe 22 is connected to the bathtub upper overflow drain 12 via an upper rigid connector 24. The pipe assembly 20 also has a lower rigid pipe 26 oriented in a horizontal direction. The pipe 26 is connected to the lower drain 14 via a lower rigid connector 28. The pipe 22 and the pipe 26 are joined at a rigid three-way connector 30. The connector 30 receives fluid from both the upper overflow drain 12 and lower drain 14, and directs the fluid to a bottom outlet 32.

[0011] Referring now to FIG. 2, a bathtub waste pipe assembly 40 of the present invention for draining fluid from a bathtub is shown. The assembly 40 includes a flexible hollow tube 42. The tube 42 is located outside one end 16 of the bathtub 10, and has a first opening 44, a second opening 46 and a conduit 48 running from the first opening 44 to the second opening 46. The first opening 44 is adapted to be associated in fluid flow communication with the upper overflow drain 14. The tube 42 preferably has a non-corrugated inner surface 50.

[0012] The assembly 40 also includes a lower tube connector 52. The second opening 46 of tube 42 is connected to the lower drain 14 of bathtub 10 by means of the lower tube connector 52.

[0013] The connector 52 has a first opening 54, a second opening 56, and a third opening 58. The first opening 54 is adapted to be connected in fluid flow communication with the drain 14. The second opening 56 receives fluid from both the upper overflow drain 12 and lower drain 14, and directs the fluid to the bottom outlet 32. The first and second openings 54 and 56 are located directly opposite one another. The second opening 56 is located directly beneath the lower drain 14 when the first opening 54 is connected in fluid flow communication with the lower drain 14. The third opening 58 is connected in fluid flow communication with the second opening 46 of the tube 42. The third opening 58 is located perpendicular to the first and second openings 54 and 56.

[0014] The assembly 40 further includes an upper tube connector 60 adapted to be connected in fluid flow communication with the upper overflow drain 12. The connector 60 has a first opening 62 and second opening 64. The first opening 62 is adapted to be connected in fluid flow communication with the upper drain 12. The second opening 64 is connected in fluid flow communication with the first opening 44 of the tube 42.

[0015] In operation, the assembly 40 can receive fluid from upper overflow drain 12 (in an overflow situation) or lower drain 14 (in normal operating conditions). In an overflow situation, the fluid from the upper overflow drain 12 is received into the flexible hollow tube 42. These fluids then flow along flexible hollow tube 42 to the lower tube connector 52 where they are emptied into the bottom outlet 32. Under normal operating conditions, the fluid from the lower drain 14 is received into the lower tube connector 52 where it is emptied into the bottom outlet 32.

[0016] The bathtub waste pipe assembly 40 is installed as shown in FIG. 2. It is therefore seen that the installation of the bathtub waste pipe assembly 40 is simplified due to the flexibility of the assembly 40. The assembly 40 can be bent to shorten or extend its length during installation. This eliminates the need to adjust the assembly 40 through choosing the specific length of assembly 40, or the need to cut the assembly 40 to a proper size. In addition, this flexibility also allows the assembly 40 to be more easily installed in confined spaces.

[0017] It is therefore seen that this invention will accomplish at least all of its stated objectives. 

I claim:
 1. A bathtub waste pipe assembly for draining fluid from a bathtub where the bathtub has an upper overflow drain and a lower drain, comprising: a flexible hollow tube extending from the upper overflow drain to the lower drain.
 2. The bathtub waste pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible hollow tube has a non-corrugated inner surface.
 3. The bathtub waste pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible hollow tube is located outside one end of the bathtub.
 4. The bathtub waste pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible hollow tube has a non-corrugated inner surface. 